Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-23 and Invasion

[DGuller]

I actually remembered quickybaby's video about his first visit to Belarus, when we were discussing Belarus a short time ago.  His then-girlfriend said something cryptic about Belorussian politics, and he just shrugged his shoulders with a "don't know, don't care" expression.  Some people are completely indifferent to such things, as long as they think that they're not going to be affected personally.

[Tamas]

I actually remembered quickybaby's video about his first visit to Belarus, when we were discussing Belarus a short time ago.  His then-girlfriend said something cryptic about Belorussian politics, and he just shrugged his shoulders with a "don't know, don't care" expression.  Some people are completely indifferent to such things, as long as they think that they're not going to be affected personally.

Yeah and a significant amount of Westerners I think are way too embedded into the comfort of their home country's political and economical stability to comprehend what it means to live in an unpredictable shithole like Belarus.

[Josquius]

Yeah, I'd go further and say there's plenty who are perfectly happy to see millions oppressed if it makes their life a little better.

[HVC]

Yeah, I'd go further and say there's plenty who are perfectly happy to see millions oppressed if it makes their life a little better.

That's basically anyone that buys stuff made in China... so everyone.

[Eddie Teach]

Hey, we're helping those Chinese workers eat.

[Valmy]

Yeah, I'd go further and say there's plenty who are perfectly happy to see millions oppressed if it makes their life a little better.

That's basically anyone that buys stuff made in China... so everyone.

If it isn't made in China it is probably made in some other horrible sweatshop. There is no ethical consumption under cannibalism.

[HVC]

Yeah, I'd go further and say there's plenty who are perfectly happy to see millions oppressed if it makes their life a little better.

That's basically anyone that buys stuff made in China... so everyone.

If it isn't made in China it is probably made in some other horrible sweatshop. There is no ethical consumption under cannibalism.

Autocorrect I assume? Or your Amazon shopping list is way different from mine

[DGuller]

There is no ethical consumption under cannibalism.

Valmy as always with a controversial take.

[Sheilbh]

Interesting comment from Alexander Clarkson on Twitter that Germany's starting to look quite isolated on this - which I think is going to be a problem given that I think Germany normally tries to align with its partners and position itself in the middle of European politics rather than out on its own:

Alexander Clarkson
@APHClarkson
When even the Dutch are shifting on arming Ukraine and Spanish sending assets to the Black Sea then Germany begins to look isolated. Even France and Italy are (out of self-interest) running their moves. This isn't a "NATO divided" story, it's a "Germany isolated" story

The Dutch are allowing arms shipments to Ukraine as mentioned, which is unusual. There is more and more European and NATO support flowing to Ukraine right now (the UK I believe has basically run back-to-back flights airlifting anti-tank stuff into Ukraine for the last four days and earlier today "God save the Queen" was trending in Ukraine ). As well as the Netherlands, Canada and Czechia are starting shipments now - and Denmark is providing financial support. The Baltic states obviously small are sending supplies as well - Estonia want to send artillery but this is not being allowed by Germany (who supplied the artillery so Estonia transferring it on is subject to German support).

Separatey Poland and Ukraine have set up secured hotline between their leaderships to stay in touch in case things escalate.

In a way - for all the concern about NATO divisions and Macron continuing to insist on being a French President - the Western and European response is generally quite impressive. This is what the start of European defence could look like. No doubt this harmony will be smashed when Orban returns from his trip and announces plans to "reunite" with Hungarians in Ukraine

[Jacob]

Denmark is, apparently, looking at providing cyber-capacity in addition to financial support.

[Sheilbh]

I imagine that's somethinig the Baltics would also want to help with given their experience (and the UK as I understand we're pretty good at cyber - I saw Australians mention that as a benefit of Aukus).

[Valmy]

Yeah, I'd go further and say there's plenty who are perfectly happy to see millions oppressed if it makes their life a little better.

That's basically anyone that buys stuff made in China... so everyone.

If it isn't made in China it is probably made in some other horrible sweatshop. There is no ethical consumption under cannibalism.

Autocorrect I assume? Or your Amazon shopping list is way different from mine

A rather obscure reference: https://youtu.be/0h-hWNAqH0Y?t=2157

But not untrue

[Jacob]

Do you...  ahem... cyber?

[Malthus]

Yeah, I'd go further and say there's plenty who are perfectly happy to see millions oppressed if it makes their life a little better.

That's basically anyone that buys stuff made in China... so everyone.

If it isn't made in China it is probably made in some other horrible sweatshop. There is no ethical consumption under cannibalism.

... but we are so tasty. 

[celedhring]

Do you...  ahem... cyber?

Yeah, it's probably an age thing, but every time Sheilbh says "cyber" I understand it as "cybersex".